The Gospel of Life convention will cover a wide range of pro-life topics
by Kara Hansen
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — It’s everything you ever wanted to know about pro-life issues, all in one day.
The Gospel of Life convention will be held April 12 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park. Jointly sponsored by both the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas and the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the event begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 6:00 p.m.
The convention was planned with as broad an audience as possible in mind. Whether individuals are confused by or in disagreement with what the Catholic Church teaches or merely wish to learn how to better articulate those teachings, the convention should be educational.
“This is an excellent way for people to get current on all the topics,” said archdiocesan pro-life consultant Ron Kelsey, “by bringing them all together in one forum.”
Kelsey said since this year is the 40th anniversary of the papal encyclical “Humanae Vitae,” it was natural for the convention to focus on the topics addressed in that document. Speakers were selected for their expertise in various areas of the pro-life movement.
Hot topics for the convention include end-of-life nutrition and hydration, STDs, prenatal genetic diagnoses, pornography, embryonic stem-cell research, contraception, in vitro fertilization, abortion, the death penalty, infertility, and the morning-after pill.
Each speaker will present for an hour with time included for questions.
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann will give the keynote address on Catholics in the public square. The day will close with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert Finn of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Booths run by pro-life organizations will also be on display.
But the fruits of the convention, said Kelsey, will be more than just education.
“We hope the convention will energize people to get involved in the grass-roots pro-life movement, and find ways to get involved with supporting life,” he said.
While Catholics of both dioceses are particularly encouraged to attend, the entire event is also open to the public at large.
“It will make for some interesting conversations, but the hope is to proclaim the Gospel with honesty and love, even in the most controversial topics,” Kelsey added.
